The tree originated in Western Asia, where its wild ancestor, Malus
sieversii, is still found today.

The Domestic Apple is a hybrid mixture of at least four different
wild species including Malus sylvestris, M. pumila, M. dasyphylla
and M. sieversii. These species occur in the cool temperate regions
of Europe, the Near East and central Asia. It is difficult to
ascertain when domestication of apples began but apple remains in
archaeological sites dating back to the Neolithic suggest that from
the earliest times, apples were being harvested from the wild and
eaten.

Presumably apple trees started growing round habitations from
discarded apple pips. However, the earliest evidence of apple
domestication dates back to only the 10th Century BC from a site in
Israel between Sinai and the Negev. This site is well outside the
range of the wild apple species yet apple cores occur in large
numbers suggesting apple trees were cultivated and probably
irrigated as this region is so dry.

Centre(s) of genetic diversity

The center of diversity of the genus Malus is in eastern Turkey.

Geographical distribution

Apples have been grown for thousands of years in Asia and Europe,
and were brought to North America by European colonists. At least
55 million tonnes of apples were grown worldwide in 2005, with a
value of about $10 billion. China produced about 35% of this total.
The United States is the second-leading producer, with more than
7.5% of world production. Iran is third, followed by Turkey,
Russia, Italy and India.

Common use(s)

Food

Additional Information

Additional Information

The various Malus species include the flowering crabapples, edible
fruit crabapples, as well as the domesticated grocery and orchard
apples.